Sieve analysis of fine and coarse aggregate

The term ‘sieve analysis’ is the sample operation of dividing a sample of aggregates into fractions each consisting of particles between specific limits. The analysis is conducted to determine the grading of material proposed for use as aggregates. The term Fineness Modulus (F.M) is a ready index of coarseness or fineness of material. It is an empirical factor obtained by adding the cumulative percentages of aggregates retained on each of the standard sieves and dividing this sum arbitrarily by 100.

No. 100, No. 50, No. 30, No. 16, No. 8, No. 4, and 3/8 in. are the ASTM standard sieves. This test method conforms to the ASTM standard requirements of specification C136.